February is World Heart Month

[Emily-Admin]

During World Heart Month, we are highlighting key facts throughout the month, to help you understand and manage your symptoms. Did you know ...

️1️⃣ Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 32% of all deaths worldwide.

2️⃣ Atrial fibrillation affects between 33.5 to 59 million people worldwide, making it the most common sustained arrhythmia. Its prevalence is increasing due to aging populations.

3️⃣ Arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, are strongly linked to anxiety and depression, underscoring the need for comprehensive care approaches.

If you would like to find out more about atrial fibrillation and support available from AF Association, please visit our website:

UK and International: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa

US: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Alternatively, if you would prefer to contact our Patient Services Team, please visit:

UK and International: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

US: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Vonnegut]

I understand that paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is an intermittent electrical fault in the heart- we had one in the dishwasher and I don’t think it was a matter of anxiety and depression there! Mine came after a virus when I was unable to get an appointment as I understand an antiviral might have saved me from it and the chronic fatigue which also followed. However, I am 81 and my brain still seems to be functioning pretty well. I have an honours degree in Psychology, a post graduate qualifications in teaching and others in counselling and art and though they were obtained some time ago, I still get pretty good results at daily word games!

[Emily-Admin Administrator AF Association Arrhythmia Alliance in reply to Vonnegut]

That is fantastic to hear you are living what sounds like a very fulfilling life while also managing you AF. We love to hear about people's experiences- thanks for sharing!

[Vonnegut in reply to Emily-Admin]

Only because I have a husband who looks after me pretty well and does much of the stuff I can no longer manage to do because of the fatigue! Also, it was encouraging to find that my heart behaved very well during the two days and nights between when I ran out of Flecainide and when I was able to order and he was able to pick up new supplies for me! We only got into having smartphones after the private EP we found through the AFA and went to see, suggested getting a Kardia so that I could send him a reading of my heart in AF when it occurred which is how he came to prescribe the Flecainide for me to take as a PIP originally. Now my phone has become a great companion linking me up with family and friends, fun word games and you lovely people. And I did have over 75 years of healthy active life before this struck.